Canadian Real Estate Association  

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada's largest single-industry trade associations, representing approximately 98,000 real estate brokers/agents and salespeople working through 90 real estate boards, 10 provincial associations and one territorial association.

CREA's primary mission is to represent its members at the federal level of government and to act as a watchdog on national legislation that pertains to the real estate industry. CREA has frequently taken strong stands to defend the public's right to own and enjoy property.

CREA owns the MLS® trade mark and has a proprietary interest in the REALTOR® trademark. As a member of CREA, you can offer your clients an unbeatable marketing combination with both trademarks. The REALTOR® trademark is your clients' assurance of integrity. It can only be used in Canada by members of The Canadian Real Estate Association and indicates that you, as a member, accept and respect a strict Code of Ethics. The real estate database systems operated by our member boards and associations under the MLS® trademark, provide an ongoing inventory of available properties and ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

From the MLS® sales statistics, CREA tracks and issues monthly reports on home sales and new home listings. Sales reports with accompanying commentary are available from the CREA website approximately the 15th of each month. 

Mission Statement

The Canadian Real Estate Association, the national organization that represents the real estate interest of its members and the public, enhances members' professionalism, competency and profitability; and it advocates governmental policies, which improve the industry's market environment and the public's real property rights and ownership.

Key Objectives:

• To maintain an organizational structure for CREA. Its volunteer leadership and professional staff are there to effectively address the expectations of all Association members.
• To promote, protect and safeguard all certification and design marks associated with this association.
• To maintain a continuing relationship with the Federal Government in order to monitor and influence all public policy which affect the industry.
• To help members become more aware about the Competition Act and how to apply it to their business activities.
• To collect, analyze and disseminate data/information on significant market, economic, demographic and technological conditions affecting the housing and real estate industry.
• To effectively represent the interests of CREA to key individuals, organizations and groups in pursuit of CREA's mission and objectives.
• To formulate, promote and foster consistent professional standards of business practice, integrity and ethical conduct among the membership.
• To provide an interactive forum for the analysis and communication of industry issues, trends, and association benefits.

Areas of Responsibility Within Organized Real Estate In Canada:

Real Estate Boards:

• Primary membership processing, recording and dues collection
• Multiple Listing Services (MLS®):
• Regulations which are compatible with CREA's rules
• operations
• facilities
• promotion
• statistics
• Arbitration between members
• Enforcement of Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice
• Local industry representation
• Liaison with provincial associations and CREA, and local/voting representation at provincial association and CREA
• Education
• Membership prerequisites - topical seminars and workshops

Provincial/ Territorial Associations: members are the real estate boards within the province or territory
Responsibilities:

• Forwarding of membership dues and records to CREA
• Direct membership processing in non-board areas, recording and dues collection
• Multiple Listing Services (MLS®):
• Facilitator for maintenance and disputes re: board corporate jurisdictions
• trademarks compliance assistance
• inter-board or provincial MLS®
• Licensing and education
• Arbitration between boards in the province and between members from different boards in the same province
• Provincial industry representation
• Liaison with other provincial associations and CREA, and provincial/voting representation at CREA
• Coordination and maintenance of jurisdictional boundaries

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA): the national organization whose members include the boards and associations.
Responsibilities:

• National representation of the industry with the federal government
• Maintenance, protection, licensing and standards for certification marks
• National Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice
• National and international representation of the industry
• Arbitration between provincial associations and between members from different provinces
• Assistance to boards and associations

Upcoming Events

This information is currently being compiled by the ICREA-member association in this country. Please check back or contact CREA directly for further information.